Historic mountain town of Carbondale

Carbondale, Co. – At the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Crystal rivers and nestled in the foothills of majestic Mount Sopris is the historic mountain town of Carbondale, Colorado. SIX89 is located in a turn-of-the-century house on Carbondale’s historic Main Street. The patio and deck at SIX89 offer outstanding al fresco dining in the warm months with breathtaking views of Mount Sopris (12,953 feet).

Carbondale lies in the heart of the Roaring Fork Valley at the crossroads of Colorado Highways 82 and 133, 30 miles from Aspen, 10 miles from Basalt, and 12 miles from Glenwood Springs. Carbondale and the neighboring towns ‘downvalley’ from Aspen are undergoing a boom. Recent real estate developments for permanent residents and second-homeowners include Aspen Glen and River Valley Ranch and in nearby Basalt, the Roaring Fork Club.

The residents of Carbondale are an eclectic mix of people involved in ranching, tourism, retail, architecture, development and the arts. As the downvalley population of the Roaring Fork Valley has grown, so has the demand for good food.

Residents and visitors alike enjoy outdoor activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to river rafting and trout fishing in the summer, and nordic, alpine and backcountry skiing in the winter months.

Along Main Street, just a short walk from SIX89, are art galleries, antique stores and boutiques. The Crystal Theatre, an intimate, old-fashioned movie theater, shows current releases and art films nightly for just $5.

Cattle ranchers and farmers first settled Carbondale in the 1880s. When silver and gold were discovered near Aspen in 1879, droves of prospectors poured into the upper Roaring Fork Valley to settle and establish mining claims. Farmers who wished to supply food to the mining boomtowns coveted the fertile river-bottom land in Carbondale. The town was named for Carbondale, Pennsylvania, original home of some of the earliest settlers.

A warm, friendly community, Carbondale residents celebrate the town’s history every October with its annual “Potato Days,” during which a Main Street parade and come-one-come-all barbecue take place. The community recognizes its rich involvement in the arts with the summer Carbondale Mountain Fair, a two-and-a-half-day celebration of arts and crafts, music, food, and plenty of activities for the kids. And on May 20, residents celebrate the official town flower of Carbondale with the “Annual Dandelion Festival.” The festival includes a dandelion-cooking contest, parade, spring fair, organic gardening demonstrations, dandelion poetry contests, and kid’s activities – including dandelion tossing and dandelion face painting.

Carbondale is the gateway to the Crystal Valley and the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway on Highway 133, a 205-mile loop. Signs that display a blue Columbine, the Colorado state flower, designate this Scenic Byway. Guiding travelers through the Crystal River Valley south, the loop heads over McClure Pass through Somerset, Paonia, Hotchkiss, up to Crawford, through Gunnison and onto Crested Butte, over Kebler Pass and back to Carbondale. There are several charming inns and bed and breakfasts in Carbondale and nearby Redstone.

SIX89 is located at 689 Main Street in Carbondale, Colorado. SIX89 is open nightly from 5:30 p.m. Reservations are suggested; 970.963.6890.